By TED CORDERO, GMA Integrated News

The government’s P20 per kilogram subsidized rice can now be availed by minimum wage earners as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday launched the nationwide rollout of the initiative for the sector.

Late in May, the DA and DOLE announced their partnership to include minimum wage earners in the ongoing pilot run of the cheaper rice program. 

The DOLE said nearly 120,000 minimum wage earners from more than 500 establishments nationwide will initially benefit from the DA-DOLE partnership, “with numbers expected to grow as more companies join the program.”

“This isn’t just about rice—it is about dignity. It is about proving that government can deliver for the Filipinos who need it most,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. 

“We are fulfilling President Marcos’ promise of affordable food—subsidized for now, but ideally self-sustaining in the future through agricultural modernization,” added Tiu Laurel.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, for his part, said that expanding the program to include minimum wage earners will significantly advance the administration’s goal of supporting the country’s most vulnerable sectors.

“Yun naman ang gusto ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr., na ang lahat ay makinabang… Napakalaking bagay kung ang isang minimum wage earner ay makakabili rin ng bigas na P20 per kilo. Kung sampung kilo ang pwedeng bilhin… Mayroon siyang P100 o P200 na pwede niya namang mai-ukol sa iba pang mga bilihin, at siguro gaganda ang purchasing power po ng ating minimum wage earner,” said Laguesma. 

(That is what our President Bongbong Marcos Jr. wants, that everyone benefit from this program… It would mean a lot for a minimum wage earner to have access to P20 per kilo rice. If he is allowed to purchase 10 kilos… he could save P100 or P200 that he could spend on other essentials. It would greatly improve his purchasing power.)

Known as “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!,” the program was first launched in Cebu on May 1, Labor Day. 

The rice sold under the program is sourced from reserves purchased by the National Food Authority from local farmers. 

Currently in its pilot phase running through December, the initiative aims to reach up to 14 million Filipinos, particularly vulnerable sectors such as solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and indigents.

President Marcos has ordered the DA to expand and sustain the program through the end of his term in 2028.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News

Published Date: June 13, 2025